Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?

I wonder if people in the "*Mart bicycle market" ever even
change tires?

Seems this group of people regard bikes as toys, to be used
only during the annual family summer vacation, and otherwise
as a garage ornament.


SMH

I have been in a couple of different LBSs when men would come in and ask
"how much to fix a flat?" and gratefully pay the $10 for it. If it needed a
new tube, they'd pay $6 for the tube, too. No questions asked.

Pat in TX

On Mon, 10 May 2004 10:08:52 -0500, "Pat" wrote:
I wonder if people in the "*Mart bicycle market" ever even
change tires?

I have been in a couple of different LBSs when men would come in and ask
"how much to fix a flat?" and gratefully pay the $10 for it. If it needed a
new tube, they'd pay $6 for the tube, too. No questions asked.

This is not limited to riders of *mart bikes. I've seen people of
varying demographics pay to fix a flat while on quality mountain
bikes and even expensive road bikes.
--
Rick Onanian

"Rick Onanian" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 10 May 2004 10:08:52 -0500, "Pat" wrote:
I wonder if people in the "*Mart bicycle market" ever even
change tires?

I have been in a couple of different LBSs when men would come in and ask
"how much to fix a flat?" and gratefully pay the $10 for it. If it
needed a
new tube, they'd pay $6 for the tube, too. No questions asked.

This is not limited to riders of *mart bikes. I've seen people of
varying demographics pay to fix a flat while on quality mountain
bikes and even expensive road bikes.
--
I admit I've done this once or twice. Dark. Cold. Rapid Transit (LBS) is a
friendly warm place. $10. Why not?

Mr B wrote in
:

I read a quote a while ago when they were itnerviewing a local biek
shop when a WalMart was comign in a mile or so away. They talked to
him after it went in and he said he loves it because he gets to repair
all the crap that WalMart sells.


A friend of mine that owns an LBS has said pretty much the same thing.

Mike Kruger wrote:
:: "Rick Onanian" wrote in message
:: ...
::: On Mon, 10 May 2004 10:08:52 -0500, "Pat" wrote:
::::: I wonder if people in the "*Mart bicycle market" ever even
::::: change tires?
::::
:::: I have been in a couple of different LBSs when men would come in
:::: and ask "how much to fix a flat?" and gratefully pay the $10 for
:::: it. If it needed a new tube, they'd pay $6 for the tube, too. No
:::: questions asked.
:::
::: This is not limited to riders of *mart bikes. I've seen people of
::: varying demographics pay to fix a flat while on quality mountain
::: bikes and even expensive road bikes.
::: --
:: I admit I've done this once or twice. Dark. Cold. Rapid Transit
:: (LBS) is a friendly warm place. $10. Why not?

Plus, at my LBS, there is this really hot babe who sold me my bike!

"James Lynx" wrote in message
om...

Are these mega stores really a threat to bike stores?

Bike shops think so.

The bike shops were furious when Specialized introduced another brand name
to sell in mega-stores (called "Full Force"). Specialized had to stop
selling through this channel or risk losing all their retailers.

Roger Zoul wrote:
Plus, at my LBS, there is this really hot babe who sold me my bike!


Good point, you generally don't find hot babe's selling bikes at x
mart's. :

Da


-

Most of the big stores sell junk. I think there are lots of people that
when they buy a bicycle they want good service. On top of all this, I
really don't think you save much going to a big store like Dunham's or
something. There are a bunch of bike shops in this area and they seem to be
doing well. You know, all these people that buy a really nice wall hanger
and never ride it.

Curt

"James Lynx" wrote in message
om...
I am going to start riding again and haven't seriously ridden any
bikes in 20 years when I used to ride my BMX every where. I have been
reading on this newsgroup that people say not to buy from Costco and
other mega stores because the quality of the bikes aren't good, there
is no bike maintence done at these places, and also these stores sell
bikes so low they are a threat to bike store survival.

Are these mega stores really a threat to bike stores? I ask because
so many people here at this newsgroup stay away from chain store
bikes. It seems as if people are still buying from bike shops. Sure
Costco and Toys R Us attracks the casual biker but the bike stores
still appeal to the more serious biker and even to some casual bikers.
Do you really think Costco threatens bike stores survivals? Maybe
the mega stores cut into some of their profits but do they really that
much? I might buy a bike and if I get one I would like to buy it
possibly at Tony's Bike Shop in East LA. I bought my BMX Team
Mongoose there in 1980 when I was 12 and this guy is still open for
business and has good bikes.

Also for the causal biker who doesn't bike that often or that
intensely are the Costco bikes really that bad? I myself want to buy
a bike from a real bike store and also there is a special place in my
heart for Tony's Schwinn (he no longer carries Schwinn but carries the
name) since as noted above my BMX was purchased there in 1980. The
old man was a nice guy and he's even older but still there. I'd like
to give him my business if there is a bike there that fits my needs.



James

Stephen Harding wrote in message ...
Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

The frustration people will find with these walmart/discount parts
will lead them to buying decent parts at their LBS.

Maybe. Or perhaps people will think that's normal for bike stuff
and decide cycling's not worth the hassle. That, to me, is the
biggest danger. A whole lot of people think that bikes are toys
because... well, because at *Marts, they are!

I wonder if people in the "*Mart bicycle market" ever even
change tires?

Seems this group of people regard bikes as toys, to be used
only during the annual family summer vacation, and otherwise
as a garage ornament.

I just bought one. I certainly accept the critical comments about
these bikes, but I'm just not serious about bikes. Many of my friends
have various expensive toys and $1200 bicycles but I generally do OK
with my much cheaper stuff. It will be interesting to see how the
Walmart bike holds up -- or falls apart. I'm not going to be jumping
it or riding it cross-country. As for changing a tire I think dry rot
would be my primary risk. Fifty miles a week for half the year just
doesn't wear tires out.

Realistically if it wasn't for the department stores most kids would
grow up without a bike, so a cheezy bike was still better than no
bike. If mom and dad did finally buy you a nice bike, what happened?
It got stolen.

On 13 May 2004 15:26:44 -0700, (Dave) wrote:
with my much cheaper stuff. It will be interesting to see how the
Walmart bike holds up -- or falls apart. I'm not going to be jumping

Go to groups.google.com and search for
carl fogel fury roadmaster

it or riding it cross-country. As for changing a tire I think dry rot
would be my primary risk. Fifty miles a week for half the year just
doesn't wear tires out.

Ultra-cheap bike tires do seem to last forever.
--
Rick Onanian